Ħamrun striker Dodo set for long spell on sidelines after fracturing ankle

Ħamrun Spartans are set to be without their influential striker Joao Ailton Soares for several weeks after the Cape Verde forward broke his ankle during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Gżira United at the National Stadium.

Dodo, as the Ħamrun Spartans striker is known, crashed to the ground holding his ankle in the final stages of the first half of Saturday’s match after he appeared to turn on his ankle. From the first moments, it was clear of the seriousness of his injury when the player was immediately stretchered off and taken to a hospital for more tests.

Results showed that Dodo had broken his ankle and is expected to be out of the game for several weeks.

The injury to Ailton Soares is another simmering blow for the Spartans who on Saturday where again without two key players in French defender Claude Dielna and midfielder Predrag Djordjevic while midfielder Matthew Guillaumier was only back to action as a second-half substitute against Gżira United after making his first appearance of the season after a long-term injury.

The Spartans will now keep their fingers crossed that the player makes a full recovery in time to help the team in the second part of the season as they look to claw themselves back into the top positions in the standings.

Ħamrun are currently lagging behind their rivals as Saturday’s defeat to Gżira United left the team lagging behind in a mid-table position, eight points adrift of leaders Birkirkara.